Daniella Tebib
New Editor
dtebib@murraystate.edu
A student reported being sexually assaulted outside an academic building on campus on Sept. 8.
The victim reported being sexually assaulted after meeting someone via a social media app. The incident was reported to the Murray State Police Department at 1:22 a.m., according to the timely warning. The Murray State Police Department is conducting an investigation on the matter.
From Aug. 2018 until Sept. 2019, 13 sexual assaults or related incidents have been reported on campus, according to the Murray State University Crime and Fire Log.
One in five women in college experiences sexual assault, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
Jamie Herring, chief of police, said students, faculty and staff should take certain precautions to help ensure their safety on and off campus.
“Insist on public first dates, especially with someone you only know through social media,” Herring said. “Create a safety plan with your friends when you go to social gatherings that includes code words. If you feel uneasy in a situation, do not ignore your instincts. You don’t owe anyone anything – back out of a situation with or without apologies. If you are in a dating relationship, have open, adult conversations about what you are willing to do and what you are not willing to do.”
To promote safety on campus, all students, faculty and staff are required to take the Title IX quiz under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972.
Students must complete the quiz with a grade of 100 percent or they will have a hold on their account. The deadline to complete the quiz is Oct. 18.
However, if one does experience sexual assault or a related incident, they should report it.
Herring said reporting incidents is important, so the victim can access available resources as soon as possible. Not only is reporting important for the victim, but police investigations and possible prosecutions can help prevent others from being victimized.
Herring said victims can report sexual assault or related incidents in several ways. Victims can call the Murray State Police at (270)809-2222 or send a message via the LiveSafe app.
Students, faculty and staff can download the LiveSafe app on their phones for free to access several safety features. Herring said students can share their location with their friends via the app. Police can also follow your location until you have made it to your destination safely. The Murray State Police can also be directly notified with the LiveSafe app.
They can also report it to the Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Access, the Women’s Center, housing staff, student affairs or other campus security.
If a victim chooses to report an incident to the Murray State Police, Herring said the department will begin an investigation.
“The police conduct an interview of the victim, usually with an advocate from Lotus or the campus Sexual Assault Response Team,” Herring said. “If a sexual assault is recent, they will encourage the victim to get a physical examination at the hospital. Even if the victim does not want to prosecute, the police and advocates will work to provide the victim with health care options and resources to lead to recovery.”
If students, faculty or staff have been involved in any kind of Title IX matter including sexual assaults, they can visit the Office of IDEA in Room 103 of Wells Hall or reach them at (270)809-3155.